Virginia, Regina,
Your best bet is to study the Airbnb listings for your area and see if any of your connections are listing on Airbnb. Ask friends if they know anyone. Then establish a relationship with those who list with Airbnb. Help them out when they will allow you to do so and get to know them well. If they trust you and find you to fit their needs, they can invite you be be a co-host for them. Family are the best for this.
You can contact Hosts by going to their listing which is near where you live and work..then click on Contact Host. This will allow you to talk to them over Airbnb. That way both you and the host are protected. There is a safety net. It is not bullet proof. But it will have serious reprecusions if either of you disrespects the community.